How to Reduce Pig Weight Variability?In a sector aiming at standardizing the final product at the maximum, variability in pig weight at slaughter age is still one of the major issues in the swine industry nowadays, reports Miquel Collel (Director, Scientific Marketing Affairs, Global Swine)...

Salmonella Reduction in Pork ProductionYearly approximately 80 million cases of human Salmonella infections are reported world wide. This makes Salmonella one of the most important zoonosis. There are over 2,400 different serotypes of Salmonella of which the most important in swine are S....

Role of Zinc on Metallothionein Gene Expression in PigsZinc is critical for the functional and structural integrity of cells and contributes to a number of important processes including gene expression (Cousins, 1996; O’Halloran, 1993; Silva and Williams, 1991), writes Dr Sanjib Borah, Assistant Professor,...

How Much Lactose is Needed in Post-Weaning Piglet Feeds?One method to control piglet feed cost is to prevent overfeeding of lactose. To achieve this feed formulation goal, accurate estimates of lactose requirements are needed according to body weight and overall diet composition, writes Ioannis Mavromichalis....

What Brexit Might Mean for the UK Pig Industry and Trade?In this edition of Horizon, AHDB examines pork industry trade flows between the UK, the EU and its other major global trading partners, as well as looking at how trading relationships might change after the UK leaves the EU. In addition, the report examines...

Accuracies of Prediction in Pig BreedingThe aim of animal breeding is to genetically improve populations. In other words, the next generation should be superior to the current generation, writes Dinesh Thekkoot, PhD
University of Alberta and Genesus Inc....

Copper Is Key for Piglet PerformanceThe element is essential to a functional immune system and optimal health. Adding supplemental copper to nursery pig rations can improve daily gain and feed conversion ratios. ...

Eight Dimensions of Pig Feed IntakeMost articles on feed intake in wean-to-finish (W2F) analyze the effects of individual factors, such as water availability, feeder space, energy diet or stocking density on average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion (FCR). However, it is important that...

Research: Validation of African Swine Fever Real-time PCR KitGLOBAL - African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is a notifiable, highly contagious disease that can cause significant economic losses. A new duplex real-time PCR kit that targets the p72 gene and an internal control has been developed and assessed for the diagnosis...

Comparing Methods for Preventing PED Virus in FeedInfection with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) causes diarrhea, vomiting, and high mortality in suckling pigs. Contaminated feed has been suggested as a vehicle of transmission for PEDV. The objective of this study was to compare thermal and electron...

Extensive Farming and the Future of Food ProductionFarmers worldwide are facing new environmental challenges. According to Dr Juan Villalba, Associate Professor in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University and editor of ‘Animal Welfare in Extensive Production Systems’, skills learned...

Weaning Pigs Agree: “Change is Hard”How would you feel if one day someone took away your favorite beverage and replaced it with something they said was good for you? Would you squeal in frustration? Would you refuse to work? Would you sulk?...

Three Ways to Get the Most Out of Creep Feeding PigsNursery management sets the pace for pigs’ lifetime performance, so minimizing production lags is crucial during this phase. Creep feeding is one practice you can use to optimize performance during the weaning period....